Detroit Red Wings
Coach With Unique Red Wings Mark Lands New Gig
Shedden led Red Wings in scoring in 1985-86
Doug Shedden’s time with the Detroit Red Wings was brief. Still, it was long enough for him to garner a unique statistical footnote in team history.
Shedden finished the 1985-86 season with 34-37-71 totals. That was good enough to make him Detroit’s top scorer that season.
From 1982-83 through the 2002-03 season, Shedden was one of just six players to lead the Red Wings in scoring. The other five in that group? John Ogrodnick, Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov, Paul Coffey, and Brendan Shanahan.
That’s not the lone unique aspect of Shedden’s one season of Red Wings glory. He didn’t lead the team in goals. That was Ogrodnick with 38. He didn’t lead the team in assists. That was Kelly Kisio with 68.
In fact, he only played 11 games for Detroit that season, collecting just 2-3-5 totals while wearing the Winged Wheel. Shedden was acquired on March 11, 1986, in a trade with Pittsburgh that saw forward Ron Duguay move to the Penguins. Combined with his 32-34-66 output for the Pens, it was enough to make Shedden No. 1 on the Red Wings’ scoring chart that season.
3/8/84: QUE @ PIT: Ron Flockhart, 23rd of the season (88th of career) Assisted by Doug Shedden and Mike Bullard pic.twitter.com/pgKmudxUyF
— Random NHL Goal a Day (@NHLGoalADay) June 29, 2024
Shedden wouldn’t stay for long in Detroit. On January 17, 1987, he was traded along with Ogrodnick and Basil McRae to the Quebec Nordiques for Brent Ashton, Gilbert Delorme, and Mark Kumpel.
Former Red Wings Player A Long-Time Coach
Shedden, 64, has remained in hockey for a long time and continues to work in the game. He was just recently hired to coach Italy’s HC Bolzano. Earlier this season, he was also working behind the bench for Vaasa Sport of Finland’s SM-liiga.
Shedden previously suited up for HC Bolzano as a player.
#MustacheMonday Doug Shedden during his time with the Newmarket Saints in the AHL (1990/91) pic.twitter.com/EuttshYV4y
— Vintage Hockey Showcase (@hockey_vintage) July 25, 2023
“Bolzano was my first stop in Europe as a player, and it holds a special place in my heart,” Shedden said in a statement on the team’s website. “I’ve always wanted to return, so it’s great that it’s now happening.”
Shedden’s vagabond coaching career has taken him to the AHL, ECHL, UHL, Central Hockey League, KHL, Germany, and Switzerland. He also took a turn as coach of Finland’s national team.
